Avoid the Winter Blues With December Events for All Ages at CHPL

Written by Joe Armstrong, Content Specialist, Marketing, Downtown Main Library

This year is coming to a close, but there’s still time to learn, connect, and create at the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. There are activities for everyone across CHPL. You can get a head start on this year’s resolutions by learning something new, get up close and personal through a Science of Sharks event, and thread a needle with our popular Social Stitching Club, and more.

One event you don’t want to miss is an upcoming info session about the exciting next steps for the new Forest Park Branch, part of our Building the Next Generation Libraries project. Attend this Facility Master Plan info session, opens a new window to hear a brief update from our Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director Paula Brehm-Heeger and share your initial reactions.

Connect Over the Holidays at the Library

There are so many ways to connect with others over the holidays, and the Library has events that can take your friends and family get-together to the next level. Meet up to give the gift of life during the Library’s Winter Blood Drive Tour. Upgrade your storytime with a drive-in event at the Cincinnati Observatory, a great way to include multiple generations. Get started in a new book club for 2022 and learn about new authors and titles through the Library’s book clubs. With both in-person and virtual events, the Library is the place for all of our customers to connect.

Monday, Dec. 20: Memory Café

The in-person Memory Café is a welcoming event for people with Alzheimer's or dementia and their care partners. Each month there is an opportunity to socialize and enjoy music, games, or other fun activities. In December, join us for Holiday music bingo with DJ Dale Bley, courtesy of Creative Aging. Groups of four or fewer are permitted. Please register as a couple or group with your email. Call 513-369-6095 with any questions. Registration is required, opens a new window.

Tuesday, Dec. 21: Join the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Winter Blood Drive Tour

Donate blood and save a life at the Library. Last year, blood donations from the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library blood drives helped more than 600 area patients. Please continue these lifesaving efforts by making your appointment for one of our upcoming drives, opens a new window or by calling 513-451-0910. All donors will receive a $10 e-gift card.

Wednesday, Dec. 22: Outdoor Storytime at The Cincinnati Observatory

Join us for outdoor storytime on Wednesday mornings at 11 a.m. at the Cincinnati Observatory. No need to stay out in the cold during the story, bundle up in your car and stay warm while Miss Mary shares a wintry tale. Registration is required, opens a new window.

Wednesday, Dec. 22: Youth Gaming Night

Drop by the Downtown Main Library and join us for a night of Nintendo Switch gaming. Event details, opens a new window.

Monday, Dec. 27: Book Club: Reading In Color

Join us for a lively book club discussion to learn about new authors and titles from around the world. During this meeting you can vote on a preselected ballot to choose the 2022 book club list. Call 513-369-4490 for more information. New members are always welcome. No registration is required, opens a new window.

Spark Your Imagination and Create Something New

Let your imagination run wild through these events designed to bring out your creativity. Join the popular biweekly stitching circle and create new projects each meeting. Bring some tranquility into your life after a long year by creating your own mini Zen garden. No matter if you’re young or old, CHPL is the place for your latest creation to come to life.

Monday, Dec. 20: Unraveled: A Social Stitching Club

Celebrate the fiber arts with our biweekly stitching circle, a social event where you can create projects using crochet, cross stitch, knitting, embroidery and more. Learn a new stitch, bring your own project, or take home a kit. Event details, opens a new window.

Tuesday, Dec. 21: Teen Time: DIY Mini Zen Garden

Teens can visit the Forest Park Branch to add a little Zen to their lives with a DIY mini garden. Event details, opens a new window.

Tuesday, Dec. 28: Lego Tuesdays

Come build, create, and share LEGOs at the Mt. Healthy Branch Library every Tuesday at 4 p.m.! For ages 5-12. No registration required, opens a new window.

Tuesday, Dec. 28: Jewelry Making

Bring your imagination to the Northside Branch and create your own jewelry. Supplies are provided. No registration is required, opens a new window.

Learn Some Science and Technology

With so many events bringing new ideas together at the Library, there’s no better time to learn something new. Master the science of sharks at a virtual event with our partners at the Newport Aquarium, turn recycled materials into something beautiful at a S.T.E.A.M. Lab, and attend a four-day Roblox coding camp to make your own game.

Tuesday, Dec. 21: Virtual WAVE Foundation: Science of Sharks

Join the Newport Aquarium's WAVE Foundation for a virtual presentation on sharks. The Science of Sharks program connects you with a keystone species in our ocean ecosystems. In addition to live sharks, animal bio-facts used in this presentation include shark jaws, shark eggs, and more. By the end of this program, you will know how you can make a difference in shark conservation regardless of your location! Register to receive the Zoom link, opens a new window.

Thursday, Dec. 23: S.T.E.A.M Lab DIY Vases

Create and learn with S.T.E.A.M. projects at the West End Branch. In this week's lab we make vases using recycled materials. Event details, opens a new window.

Monday, Dec. 27: Roblox Coding Camp

At this four-day (Dec. 27-30) beginner Roblox Coding Camp participants ages 8-14 use skills learned each day to design and create their own Roblox game. Registration is required, opens a new window.

Tuesday, Dec. 28: Ooey Gooey STEMy Science

Experiment with glue, glitter, water, and other supplies while creating your own slime and serenity bottles at the Corryville Branch. Event details, opens a new window.

Wednesday, Dec. 29: Teen Chef

Let the Avondale Branch teach you how to make easy, cheap, (mostly) healthy, and delicious food! No registration is required, opens a new window.

Events of all types for all ages are available at CHPL. See where the Library takes you on our events calendar, opens a new window.